How psychological safety is lost and regained over time: evidence from organizational newcomers - 8 Nov 2022

Since its renaissance in the 1990s, psychological safety research has flourished—motivated by recognition of the challenge of navigating uncertainty and change. Today, its theoretical and practical significance is amplified by the increasingly complex and interdependent nature of the work in organizations. Conceptual and empirical research on psychological safety—a state of reduced interpersonal risk—is thus timely, relevant, and extensive. A forthcoming review (Edmondson and Bransby, in press) identifies four dominant themes in psychological safety research: the role of leadership in creating a psychologically safe climate, and the impact of psychological safety on performance, learning behaviors, and improved work experience. 

Organizations today face immense pressure to onboard new employees so that they learn and contribute as quickly as possible. Because psychological safety facilitates timely and candid sharing of information, questions and concerns, it may be essential to integrating new staff; but little is known about organizational newcomers perceive it or how it forms, increases, or erodes over time.